Member Comments are provided by individuals and reflect their personal opinions only. Under NO circumstances should you act on any advice or opinion posted in this forum. ALWAYS check with your personal physician before taking any action regarding your health! MedHelp International and our partners, sponsors and affiliates have no obligation to monitor any comments posted on this site, or the content and/or accuracy of such exchanges. MedHelp International does not endorse the views of any user.
Dermatology (Expert Forum)
Allergic Reaction?
Answered by
Alan Rockoff, MD - dermatology, Child Skin Problems
The Rockoff Dermatology Center
Brookline - MA
Welcome to the DERMATOLOGY FORUM! Questions in this forum are answered by Dermatologists from St. Luke's Roosevelt Hospital, under the direction of Andrew Alexis, M.D., M.P.H.
Allergic Reaction?
by Rhonda, Sep 15, 1999 12:00AM
My doctor has told me that I am allergic to cardboard. Not necessarily the cardboard, but the chemicals that it contains.
My symptoms are extremely swollen hands, bright red rash, and very large cracks in the skin. There is nothing on the rest of my body. Just my hands. He is treating me with medication. Medrol and Ultravate cream to be exact.
If I am allergic to cardboard(or the chemicals)why is this reaction only present on my hands? Wouldn't it be allover?
And
I work in a factory. And we make boxes. I handle sheets of cardboard for 8-10 hours a day and cannot wear gloves while working. Is there any way to control this reaction?
My symptoms are extremely swollen hands, bright red rash, and very large cracks in the skin. There is nothing on the rest of my body. Just my hands. He is treating me with medication. Medrol and Ultravate cream to be exact.
If I am allergic to cardboard(or the chemicals)why is this reaction only present on my hands? Wouldn't it be allover?
And
I work in a factory. And we make boxes. I handle sheets of cardboard for 8-10 hours a day and cannot wear gloves while working. Is there any way to control this reaction?
Doctor's Answer
by Alan Rockoff, MD, Sep 15, 1999 12:00AM
, Sep 15, 1999 12:00AM
Rhonda:
You may indeed be allergic to one of the chemicals you're exposed to at work. But if so, you aren't going to get better and stay better if you keep exposing your hands to it. Medrol is too strong to stay on, and Ultravate won't help enough by itself.
I think you ought to have patch tests for allergy. If they show a problem with one or more chemicals, your doctor will need to speak with your employer, to see if your work can be adjusted to avoid exposure to what you're allergic to.
Please discuss these suggestions with your dermatologist.
Good luck.
Dr. R
You may indeed be allergic to one of the chemicals you're exposed to at work. But if so, you aren't going to get better and stay better if you keep exposing your hands to it. Medrol is too strong to stay on, and Ultravate won't help enough by itself.
I think you ought to have patch tests for allergy. If they show a problem with one or more chemicals, your doctor will need to speak with your employer, to see if your work can be adjusted to avoid exposure to what you're allergic to.
Please discuss these suggestions with your dermatologist.
Good luck.
Dr. R
